Another Indecision - 2008

The gleaming sun is beginning to rise and shine through the gray political clouds onto another presidential election. As a woman, I’m experiencing a strange inner obligation to vote due to the fact that women before me fought for the right. It wasn’t long ago that only white men could vote in any election (August 1920, to be exact.) After that, it was only white citizens, until African-Americans were granted the right in 1965. Now, our country will soon collectively vote and make more history. To me, it’s a scary thought.

This blog goes out to all of the readers who do not have a single earthly idea who they want to vote for. It seems to me to be an easy decision: if you’re Republican, vote Republican. If you’re Democratic, vote Democratic. What if you’re neither? Like probably many of you, both McCain and Obama have left a bitter taste in my mouth by continuously opponent-bashing and bringing up unethical pasts. Perhaps our “nation under God” should allow the Big Man to decide for us: “Ok, God. Here are both candidates. Strike one down with a mighty bolt and the other will be our leader.” Not voting shouldn’t be a viable option, so what in the holy constitution do we do now?

I’m so there.

I’ve noticed that many of us undecided folks always try to find solace in history’s lessons and then offer ourselves a very silly question: What past presidents performed well under the same kinds of conditions we are under right now? Our reasoning: whatever political party pulled us through then, that’s who I’m going to vote for now.

In the past, our economy has had several different recessions, all within ten years of each other. No particular party was in office for every recession’s conclusion – neither party can take credit or blame for historically ending, or starting, a single recession. A vicious cycle of recession and progression has shaped our nation for generations. In my opinion, the current recession will turn out to be no different than those of the past and will eventually end, having little or nothing to do with the President. Give it up boys; you’re not going to win this one with me.

In 2000, President Bill Clinton (D) delivered a surplus of federal funds to balance the budget at +$232.6 billion dollars (factcheck.org). Then again, Dwight Eisenhower (R) also balanced during his term in the sixties. A certain political party can’t balance the budget alone! A fully-functional, bipartisan government can certainly do the job; unfortunately, the kind of government we need, now more than ever, has not been seated for many years. One election will not instantly fix dirty government operations or the drastically unbalanced budget, so I would like to recommend another subject (and I don’t mean each other) for the candidates to spat and hiss about.

Although he never had a plan in place to end the war, Nixon (R) finally advocated the cease-fire of the Vietnam War in 1975, but not without previous uproar, demonstrations, and protests. When the Gulf War ended in 1996, President Clinton (D) was in office, battling a widely-televised political scandal. Neither president had a hand in ending the wars – they ended traditionally on their own. Here we go again: find someone else to tell it to, candidates. We don’t want to hear it.
Although I profess that I am certainly no expert on the matter, from the research I have chased down on both parties, I’ve come to a decision that (sorry, Grandma) neither party is superior to the other. In fact, I think both are a little smelly right now.

So, what about the Independent candidate for this election? Has anyone heard about him? Or does anyone know that the candidate for the Green party is a woman – two women in fact? The media shadow of the McCain and Obama campaigns has been cast into the world as a heavy cloak, practically suffocating other political parties.

Remember Ross Perot? I was just a kid when our country last saw him on an independent ballot. The candidate for the Libertarian Party reminds me a lot of Perot – Bob Barr. Sounds funny , isn’t it? This guy’s got it all – he was in the CIA from 1971-78, has appeared on every cable and network station speaking on public policy matters, was appointed United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia and served from 1986 – 90, and represented Georgia in the House of Representatives from 1995-2003. He has authored several political policy topic books concerning a wide array of issues, past and present. He’s mad as hell about the $700B bailout and is looking to fix up a lot of the unseen problems in the government. I admit - he sounds more promising than that Palin chick... www.bobbarr2008.org.

Cynthia Anne McKenney is the Woman Minority presidential candidate for the Green Party (www.gp.org). She believes in shifting the “war on drugs,” has been in Congress for ten years, and feels that everyone still does not have equal rights. She wants to stop wasting national resources and bring our country back to peace. I think she might have a decent chance if her message reaches all of the green, organic, and new-age save-the-planet population. Her running mate is also a minority woman. Her views and thoughts can be read on www.runcynthiarun.org.
How about Charles Balwdin, candidate for the Constitution party? He attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Theology. He is a minister and radio talk show host, but I didn’t see any political experience on his resume. He’s obviously well-educated, which is popularly considered rare for a politician in public opinion. Perhaps it’s time for a fresh face? www.baldwin08.com.

And who can ever forget - or more concerning - will he ever give up: Ralph Nader. He again represents the Independent party for the third consecutive election. Well, I guess the guy deserves a chance, considering he was named by Time Magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential Americans in the Twentieth Century.” He’s had a hand in starting over fifty non-profit and reform organizations dealing with everything from automobile safety to congressional development. Considering his running mate appears to be about fifteen years old, it’s a good thing he’s been in politics for 28 years. www.votenader.org.

Decision 2008 doesn’t have to be a clothespin election! With new light on the subject, I encourage all of my fellow “undecided” citizens out there to do some research. Republican and Democrat parties are basking in the media spotlight, but this is not a popularity contest.